Harness-bit.



PATBNTBD NOV. 14E, 1905.

J. BALB.

HARNESS BIT. APPLICATION FILED APR.17.1905.

Attorneys.

Witnesses g/ PATENT GFF.

ivo. 804,447.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 14, 1905.,

Application iiled April 1'7, 1905. Serial No. 256,004.

To all whom, t Wto/,y concern.-

Be it known that l, J oHN BALD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Louisville, in the county of Jederson and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Harness-Bit, of which the following' is a specilication.

This invention relates to harness-bits.

The object of the invention is to provide an overcheck harness-bit which shall in a humane and positive manner operate positively to restrain a restive horse, prevent tossing' of the head, side pulling, and the taking oi' the bit between the teeth.

lVith the above and other objects in view, as will appeal' as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction and combination of parts or' an overcheck harness-bit, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate corresponding' parts, Figure 1 is aviewin perspective exhibiting the bit of the present invention applied to a horse. F ig. 2 is a perspective detail view of the bit. Fig. 3 is a view in vertical transverse section through the bit.

The bit is by preference constructed oi' a single piece ci' material and comprises two mouth-plates 1, with each of which is combined a downwardly and outwardly curved lever 2, provided on its under side with a perforated ear 3 and longitudinally of its length with a slot i to receive the drivingreins. Combined with the mouth-plates are two bit-bars 5 and 6, which, as shown in Fig. 3, are approximately oval in cross-section and occupy a plane substantially coincident to that of the under side ofthe lever, the bars being connected with the mouth-plates by extensions 7, which are disposed in alinement with the said plates. The bit-bars, as shown in Fig. 2, are the thickest at their center and gradually taper toward their ends, thereby to secure a spring action, and the intermediate portions of the bars are bulged outward away from each other, thereby to give to each bar an approximately bow shape when viewed in plan. The upper end of each mouth-plate is provided with an oriiice 8, which is shown in Fig. 2 and 3 as approximately tI-shaped, although this contour is not essential and may be changed, if desired, the upper wall of the opening' torming a bar 9, upon which is mounted a tubular roller 10.

When the bit is attached to a bridle, the

orifices 8 are engaged by a nose-band 11, the terminals of which project through the oriiices, each terminal of the band being provided with a buckle 12, (one only beingshown,) the buckles being engaged by the terminals 13 of a draw-strap 14, which is bifurcated for the purpose and fastens over the head through suitable guides (not shown) on the guidepiece 15 and connects at its free end with av check-strap 16 of the common or any preferred construction, which, as usual, is connected with the turret-hook 17 of the saddle. rlhe draw-strap 14 has combined with it a pad 18, preferably of leather, which is furnished with a keeper 19, preferably formed from a part of the pad, and through this keeper projects an ordinary adjusting-strap 20, one end of which is sewed or otherwise secured to the nose-band, as at 21, and is connected in any suitable manner to the check-strap. By the provision of the nose-band, draw-strap and adjusting-strap the bit is held positively positioned in the horses mouth, and by the employment of the rollers 10 the nose-strap will be free to slide within the oriiices 8, whereby when the horse attempts to throw down his head the bit will be forced upward in his mouth and then stop the motion. The ears 3 are engaged by a chin-rest 22, which may be either a chain, as shown, or a strap, as may be preferred, and this chin-rest will operate to force the bit against the rootl of the animals mouth should it open its mouth in an attempt to take the bit.

By having the bit-bars formed in the manner described-that is, outwardly bulged relatively to each other-they will be caused to conform accurately to the animals mouth and will without causing pain be thoroughly et'- fective in checking the animal should it become fractions. Moreover, this construction will permit the bit-bars to yield, and thus eliminate pain, when the reins are sharply drawn upon, while in no wise detracting from the checking action of the bit.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is- 1. An overcheck harness-bit embodying' a pair ot' bit-bars, the intermediate portions of which are outwardly bulged and the terminals of which are reduced to secure a spring' action.

2. An overcheck horse-bit embodying a pair of mouth-plates each of which carries a downwardly and outwardly curved lever, and a pair oi' bit-bars carried by the plates, the interme- IOO IIO

being. provided with an orice and with a bar carrying an antii"riction-roller` and a pair of bit-hars combined with the plates and having I5 intermediate outwardly-bulged portions and reduced terminals.

In testimonythat I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence oi' two witnesses.

JOHN BALD.

Nitnessesz CHAs. S. WVHITE, Jos. DRECKMANN. 

